“You will face a total of four challenges, each one different from the other. And the aim is… stay alive. Simple, isn’t it?”
Not a single person responded. On the faint breeze I caught the smell of hot piss, and noticed one of the Hunters had a spreading wet patch across his crotch; even the sand beneath his feet had stained a darker colour.
“Normally, I would not give my contestants any information into what trial they were about to face. I left that to the will of the previous Grand High, to weave secrets into the Witch Trials, but since my last victor evicted me insucha rush, there was no chance to arrange this properly. However, as I am kind and fair, I will visit you before each trial and give you a single hint. This is to assist with those who are at a power disadvantage more so than the handful of witches amongst us.” Bahmet took his time to eye each one of us. “Survive until the end of the four trials, prove yourself to me, and I will give you access to power unlike anything you could ever imagine. I can make your deepest desires come true. Whether you intended to take part in my trials, there will be something you each want. Perhaps to see someone you’ve lost again, or to obtain access to magic that no other could dream of. Have the power to lay curses… or break them.”
Bahmet disappeared again, this time reappearing in the middle of the sand ahead of us. His sudden proximity madethe desire to attack him too great to ignore. Like a needle of a compass pointing north, that darkness inside of me jolted in Bahmet’s direction.
No doubt that wasexactlywhat Bahmet wanted. My leg shifted, the sands hissing beneath my boot as I lifted it, prepared to step closer.
Before I dropped my boot out onto the exploding sands, Arwyn shouted my name.
“Hector, stop!”
His command flooded out across the stadium, repeating over and over until it faded into a whisper. The desperation and panic was enough for me to regain control of my body, to stop myself from leaving this safe space and dying.
My eyes fixed to his, noticing how he panted, his hand outstretched for me as if he would’ve risked himself to save me. I had no doubt that that was exactly what he would’ve done if I hadn’t listened.
“You really are a spoil-sport,” Bahmet moaned, “Arwyn Hopkin.”
I settled my foot back on safe ground, and fixed my eyes to the demon ahead of me. “And you really are a prick in my arse,” I shouted, fingers flexing at my sides. “How about you come a little closer.”
Bahmet took a moment to study me with violent red eyes, a deep wet rasp building in the back of his throat. I could practically feel the demon’s desire to taunt me before the crowd, but to my surprise, Bahmet lifted the microphone back to his goat-mouth and spoke, not to me, but to everyone.
“Contestants. Are. You.Ready?”
If Bahmet expected cheers of excitement, he was met with nothing but the gentle hush of sand blowing over sand.
“Perhaps a little hint will get you all excited, huh? Okay then, tough crowd.” Bahmet spun around, taking his time to drinkevery one of us in. “I will offer one of you a golden ticket, per se. A way of you skipping the next two trials and securing your place in the finale. Would you like that?”
For the first time, a handful of murmured voices echoed back to the demon. I watched the wet, horrid lips of the demon quirk upwards.
Who would’ve thought a goat could smile. Even I was impressed, to be honest. That was until Bahmet spoke his next words, a single finger pointed directly to where I stood.
“What do we need to do?” a Hunter asked, voice shaking as violently as his hands.
Bahmet’s voice dropped as he replied. “The first person to kill Hector Briar will be given said ‘golden ticket’.”
Every single eye snapped to me. Not a pair spared. My skin prickled beneath the attention, beads of sweat prickling over my brow. I made sure I looked into every one of their eyes, not skipping a single person. If they thought for asecondI would be killed easily, they would be sorely mistaken.
“That side quest, as you could call it, will extend past this trial, if no one is successful. Kill Hector, and you will be rewarded. During a trial, or outside of them, it really does not matter. I want him dead.”
The panting of heavy breathing sounded beside me. I turned to Arwyn and found that he was the only person not looking in my direction. His taut body was turned towards Bahmet, fists balled, natural magic spoiling the air around him.
Arwyn didn’t say anything, but I sensed his unspoken threats.
No one would get close enough to me, not when he was near.
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the first trial tobegin!” Bahmet practically sang, voice returning to that taunting fairground tone. “Since this is such a unique event, I have personally created the following four trials myself. Each one isunique and has never occurred before. This puts each of you on an equal footing. Now, enough from me. I look forwards to seeing which of you make it through to the next round, and which of you do not.”
Bahmet referred to me without the need to use my name, or look at me.
“May the first trial commence! Good luck, and welcome to…” Bahmet disappeared in a wave of shadow, although his voice still rang out across the stadium. “The Drowning.”
PART II
TRIAL ONE – THE DROWNING
18
